Parisienne, the embodiment of olfactory freedom. It was in 1961 that Yves Saint Laurent founded his fashion house, after having worked for Christian Dior. The debut collection of the ultra shy couturier who hid behind his large black glasses would enjoy unexpected success.
For Yves Saint Laurent, the City of Light has always been the symbol of his success. There, where everything was possible for him. Founded in 1961, the fashion house quickly ventured into the world of perfumery, favoring fragrances evoking the capital such as Rive Gauche, Paris, Mon Paris, and Parisienne. The latter, released in 2009, is the fragrance of a Parisian woman, but above all a very elegant one. Seductive, naturally beautiful, the Parisienne woman possesses a particular charm, much like her face of the campaign, Kate Moss.
Sophia Grosjman and Sophie Labbé at the heart of Parisienne
To create his fragrance named after the capital, Yves Saint Laurent chose two highly talented perfumers. Born in the Soviet Union, Sophia Grosjman began her career as a perfumer in 1965 at IFF (International Flavors and Fragrances). In 1994, Sophia Grosjman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her career as a fragrance creator, a title granted by the Cosmetic Executive Women organization of New York. She is responsible for magnificent fragrances such as Trésor by Lancôme and Eternity by Calvin Klein. Sophie Labbé held a degree in chemistry and biology before joining the prestigious perfumery school, ISIPCA. Sensitive and passionate, Sophie Labbé began her career at IFF. She is responsible for great olfactory successes such as Premier Jour by Nina Ricci, Very Irresistible by Givenchy, and Le Ballet Blanc by Repetto.
Parisienne, a floral-woody bouquet with powdery accents
Parisienne opens with a fruity accord, thanks to the presence of a vinyl accord composed of blackberry, raspberry, and cranberry, which lends a touch of insolence. Originally, the raspberry was a white fruit. Legend has it, indeed, that the nymph Ida, daughter of the king of Crete and nurse to Zeus, wanted to pick a raspberry to soothe his sorrow. While picking the raspberry, Ida pricked her breast on the thorns of the raspberry bush, and the fruit then took on a blood-red hue. In France, the first red raspberries were cultivated as early as the Middle Ages. Raspberry is low in calories and is one of the favorite fruits of summer. Then, Parisienne's heart evolves toward great femininity thanks to the presence of rose, peony, and violet, offering an ultra floral heart with very elegant powdery accents. Peony originates from the Far East and its name comes from the Greek for “plant that heals.”
The famous Greek physician Hippocrates indeed used peony to treat epilepsy and to aid in the expulsion of the placenta after childbirth. As for the Chinese, they consider peony the Queen of Flowers. Peony has a fascinating bloom with a very delicate and floral scent. In perfumery, peony offers floral, rosy, and airy tonalities. Finally, Parisienne's base is meant to be very sensual, combining patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, and white musks.